A former Irish international cyclist who was knocked over the handlebars of his bike by a motorist, has been awarded £15,000 damages in the Circuit Civil Court. The Circuit Court President, Mr Justice Esmond Smyth, heard that Mr Garrett Donoghue (31), of Mount Eagle Rose, Leopardstown Heights, Dublin, and Three Road, Castleisland, Co Kerry, injured his back in the accident.
Mr John O'Donnell, counsel for Mr Donoghue, told the court his client was a former international cyclist, competing in Spain and France over the years. He had been struck by a car emerging from a filling station in Dublin in February 1997, while he was training for bicycle racing.
Mr Justice Smyth said Mr Donoghue had suffered an undisplaced fracture of his lower lumbar vertebrae which caused him pain when cycling, which he continued to do as a leisure pursuit.
Judge Smyth awarded Mr Donoghue £14,000 general damages with £1,000 special damages against Mr Ken Doyle, New Vale Cottages, Shankill, Co Dublin.